Indian Federation of University Women's Associations

Professional & Vocational Skills Development - Training the Trainers

The Indian Federation of University Women's Associations (IFUWA) is running a Counselling Programme and Career Fair for girls between the ages of 14 and 17 in schools throughout India.  The project is helping to transform discriminatory social attitudes, create awareness on the importance of literacy and encourage girls from poor and underprivileged sections of society to continue through High School and beyond to a job/career.

A new component of the project introduced in 2009 trains high school teachers to conduct school counselling programmes themselves.  85 teachers have attended a training workshop run by IFUWA members since September 2009 to help understand and evaluate career choices.  They have also been shown how to administer and evaluate an aptitude test and have been given the required training to administer an interest inventory test which covers 13 broad areas of career options for students. 

The project has so far helped teachers from 28 schools to acquire the skills to confidently handle careers guidance for girls in High Schools.  IFUWA members in seven branches have been involved together with teachers, school administrators, university staff, vocational institute staff, the Lions Club, the Rotary Club and the Soroptimists.